Insurance Insights ~ November 2000

Red Cross Releases Holiday Safety Tips

Christmas Tree Trimmings Can Be Hazardous

The Red Cross urges families to use caution around the holidays when decorating with candles, cooking holiday meals and driving to and from holiday celebrations. Twelve tips released by the American Red Cross were developed to help Americans in neighborhoods across the country prevent injuries or even fatalities during the holiday season.

One of the tips highlights how to avoid potential dangers associated with Christmas tree decorations. Cautions include purchasing laboratory tested Christmas lights; unplugging tree lights when leaving home or going to bed; and not adorning metal Christmas trees with lights.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly 600 fires per year have been started by ignition of Christmas trees, causing an average of 33 deaths, 117 injuries and $23 million in direct property damage.

Several of the tips focus on home heating safety such as inspecting fireplace chimneys for chemical buildup which can cause chimney fires and keeping space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything combustible. While heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States, most of these fires can be prevented with proper understanding and use of heating equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The 12 Safety Tips are a compilation of information provided by the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association and the Red Cross' Community First Aid manual.

12 Holiday Safety Tips From the American Red Cross

Beware of Holiday Lighting:
Take care when burning candles. Be sure they are kept away from decorations or other combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles, and always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits.

Test Tree Trimmings:
When decorating with lights, be sure to purchase only those labeled by a testing laboratory. Never use candles to decorate Christmas trees. For outside decorations, use only those lights labeled for outdoor use. Don't overload electrical outlets, and always unplug all lights before leaving home or going to bed. Never put electrical lights on a metal Christmas tree.

Prepare for Holiday Parties:
Decorate only with flame-retardant or noncombustible materials. Avoid using candles during parties. If guests will be smoking, provide them with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After the party, check inside and under upholstery and in trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.

Keep Christmas Trees Fresh:
Choose a fresh Christmas tree and secure it in a sturdy stand. Place the tree away from heat sources and exits, and water it daily. If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant. If you plan to hang stockings on your fireplace, do not use the fireplace for fires.

Inspect Fireplaces:
Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season and cleaned if necessary. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if not properly cleaned. Always protect your family and home by using a sturdy screen when burning fires. Remember to burn only wood - never burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out of the chimney and ignite a neighboring home. Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. If you are purchasing a factory-built fireplace, select one listed by a testing laboratory, and have it installed according to local codes.

Watch Your Wood Stoves:
Be sure your wood or coal stove bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory and meets local fire codes. Follow manufacturers' recommendations for proper use and maintenance. Chimney connections and chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season and cleaned if necessary. Follow the same safety rules for wood stoves as you would for space heaters. Burn only wood, and be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot coals. Be sure to check with your local fire department and check local codes before having your wood stove installed.

Be Cautious With Portable and Space Heaters:
Place space heaters at least three feet (one meter) away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets, and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don't leave children or pets unattended with space heaters and be sure everyone knows that drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire danger.

Cook with Care:
When cooking, do not wear loose fitting clothing. Hot burners can ignite it. Always turn pot handles in. Don't store items on the stovetop; they could catch fire. Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition, and turn them off after use. Don't overload electrical outlets, and don't use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.

Designate a Driver:
When attending a party, always designate a non-drinking driver. If you are the host of a holiday gathering, be sure there are non-alcoholic beverages available for guests who are driving.

Buckle Up:
During the holiday months, people travel more than ever. Wearing a seat belt is the easiest and best way to prevent injury in a motor vehicle collision. Ensure that all passengers are also wearing safety belts.

Prepare a Winter Storm Plan:
Have extra blankets on hand and ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots. Stay tuned for storm warnings by listening to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and television stations for updated storm information. It's also important to have your car winterized before winter storm season.

Enroll in a First Aid & CPR course:
Although these tips can help prevent an emergency, it is also important to be prepared should an emergency situation arise. To enroll in a first aid or CPR course, contact your local Red Cross.

For more than 80 years, the American Red Cross has been a national leader in health and safety education. Each year the Red Cross trains nearly 13 million people in CPR, first aid, mission-related care-giving, aquatics and water safety, and HIV/AIDS education. For more information on these and other Red Cross safety courses, please contact the local Red Cross in your community.

When Disaster Strikes Part 2: When the Flood Comes

The weather forecast calls for drenching downpours and flash flood warnings. Floods can take several hours to days to develop. A flood watch means a flood is possible in your area. A flood warning means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. We discussed in Part 1 steps you can take to prepare for a flood, now lets take a look at what to do when a flood is imminent.

Safety is the most important consideration. Since flood waters can rise very rapidly, you should be prepared to evacuate before the water level reaches your property.

Keep a battery-powered radio. Tune to a local state, and follow all instructions for your area. Be prepared to evacuate.

When outside the house, remember…floods are deceptive. Avoid flood roads, and don’t attempt to walk through floodwaters.

If time permits, take the following precautionary steps:

• Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation is likely. Be sure to use caution and make sure the areas are dry.
• Move valuable papers, furs, jewelry, clothing, and other contents to upper floor or high elevations.
• Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case regular supplies are contaminated.
• Board up windows or protect them with storm shutters.
• Bring outdoor possessions inside the house or securely tie them down.

If it is safe to evacuate by car, consider the following:

• Stock the car with nonperishable foods, a plastic container of water, blankets, first aid kit, flashlights, dry clothing, and any special medication needed by your family.
• Keep the gas tank at least half full since gasoline pumps will not be working if the electricity is cut off.
• Do not drive where the water is over the roads. Parts of the road may already be washed out.
• If your car stalls in a flood area, abandon it as soon as possible. Flood waters can rise rapidly and sweep a car away. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.

If you’re caught in your home by rising waters: Move to the second flood and, if necessary, to the roof. Take warm clothing, a flashlight, and a portable radio with you. Then wait for help!!! Don’t try to swim to safety, rescue teams will be looking for you.

Remember that flash floods can occur before the local emergency managers have time to issue a warning. In most cases the National Weather Service may issue a flash flood watch advising people that conditions are favorable for a flash flood. You may not be notified of a flash flood warning before flooding actually begins. Being prepared for the disaster and remaining calm and orderly will allow you to take care of your family foremost.

Next month: The final part in When Disaster Strikes -- After the Flood.

INSURANCE INSIGHTS is an electronic newsletter published monthly (except for January and August) by G. C. Weimer Associates, Inc. Information contained herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief as of 11/1/2000. If you have a topic of interest for a future issue, e-mail us at info@gcwinsure.com.